Cannes – Reed MIDEM reported that more than 11,000 people from over 100 countries gathered in Cannes as MIPTV celebrated its 50th anniversary. Highlights of the 50th MIPTV included a plethora of deals, demos of the 4K Ultra HD – which is being pioneered by Sony, packed keynote addresses, a plea from former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for the television industry to support the United Nation’s Global Education First Initiative, and a full-house World Premier TV Screening of Da Vinci’s Demons – produced by Adjacent Productions for Starz and sold internationally by BBC Worldwide.
In addition, among the 4,000 programme acquisition executives in Cannes, it was reported that 800 were VOD and digital buyers – a 30% increase on last year. There were significant year-on-year increases in the number of companies participating from Russia (+18%), Ukraine (+30%), Brazil (+17%) and the United Arab Emirates (+58%).
With 79 companies represented, China’s delegation, headed by Wei LI, Vice Minister of the newly-formed General Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television, was the largest ever at MIPTV.
It was also announced that Argentina will be the Country of Honour at MIPCOM 2013.
